Leeds fans upset Bates staying as part of new regime

Leeds United fans are unhappy Ken Bates will remain as president at Elland Road following the completion of the club's takeover by Bahrain-based investment bank GFH Capital.

Leeds United fans are unhappy Ken Bates will remain as president at Elland Road following the completion of the club's takeover by Bahrain-based investment bank GFH Capital.

Bates, 80, announced on Wednesday morning that GFH Capital will complete a 100 per cent takeover of the club on December 21 and that he will remain as chairman during a transitional period until the end of the season.

"We're very pleased the deal has finally been done and that six agonisingly-long months for Leeds United supporters can be put to an end," Leeds United Supporters' Trust chairman Gary Cooper told Press Association Sport.

"GFH Capital have spoken a wonderful game and made some very ambitious statements with regards to what they want to do with the club and we're looking forward to seeing them put their plans into action.

"But there is one 'but'. Why the continued involvement with Ken Bates? We're not questioning the transitional period at all, that makes absolute sense.

"But my members are already asking me, going forward, why does the club need or want Ken Bates as president? His tenure at the club has not been one of success.

"He's like marmite, you either love him or loathe him and he's proved very divisive at this club.

"He's done his best to discredit supporters' groups, he's called fans morons and dissidents and he's sold all our best players.

"He's a hell of a character, but he's done nothing to endear himself to the supporters of Leeds United.

"GFH Capital now have the unenviable task of rebuilding the club's relationship with the fans when appearing to be hand-in-hand with Ken Bates."